I'll coordinate in the group chat and have Brother Han Li and Brother Wang Lin from the cultivation realm come to hold the fort. I won't let Protector Wu capture you."
"Indeed, Zhu Chen's strength is impressive, and he's young—he's bound to achieve greatness. I'm glad you've befriended him."
Yao Lao hadn't met the Han Li and Wang Lin that Xiao Yan mentioned, so he couldn't comment, but he held Zhu Chen in high regard.
However, thinking of Zhu Chen reminded Yao Lao of the pills Xiao Yan had just given away, and he couldn't help complaining, "Why did you give him those recovery pills? They were specially refined for your cultivation. At his level, they probably won't help much."
Xiao Yan smiled awkwardly. "I didn't have anything better to offer, did I? He traveled from another realm to help me—I couldn't let him leave empty-handed."
Yao Lao was speechless. "Didn't I promise to refine sixth-grade pills for him?"
Xiao Yan waved it off. "It's different, Teacher. Don't worry about those healing pills. Compared to the Companion Amethyst Source and Purple Spirit Crystal we gained this time, they're nothing. You can refine more easily..."
As he spoke, he reached into his storage ring, intending to admire the Companion Amethyst Source and Purple Spirit Crystal once more.
But in the next instant,
the smile on his face froze.
"Oh no... I just gave Brother Zhu those two bottles of aphrodisiacs I refined last time..."
...
Deep within the cave of the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
Yun Yun had already swallowed all the pills scattered on the ground.
She had examined them carefully.
Though they were ordinary recovery and healing pills, their medicinal energy was exceptionally pure—superior even to those from the sixth-grade alchemist of the Yunlan Sect.
Only the two bottles labeled "Rejuvenation Pills" were of slightly lower quality, with faint medicinal scent—likely flawed products.
But she needed the pills' energy to break the seal, so she couldn't be picky.
Since they were called "Rejuvenation Pills," they had to be recovery-type as well.
As long as they aided recovery, that's what mattered most to her now.
Yun Yun sat cross-legged, forming seals with her hands, channeling the traces of Dou Qi from the dissolving pills to assault the seal placed by the Amethyst Winged Lion King.
As the pills melted within her, her Dou Qi grew stronger.
"It really works..."
A flicker passed through Yun Yun's beautiful eyes, filling her with even greater admiration for the "senior" beside her.
The quality of his pills was unmatched in her experience.
Their potency was extraordinary.
She was now certain that this senior's alchemy surpassed even Pill King Gu He's.
He might even be a legendary seventh-grade alchemist!
At this thought, Yun Yun felt as if she had discovered a treasure.
She never expected to encounter such a high-level Dou Zong alchemist here—and even exchange insights with him.
It truly was a blessing in disguise.
However, soon after,
Yun Yun sensed something unusual in her body
As the pills continued to dissolve, an inexplicable heat spread through her.
Especially in her lower abdomen, it felt like a fireball igniting, growing fiercer.
It was as if countless ants were crawling inside her, causing unbearable itching.
At the same time,
a flush crept over her pale cheeks, and her eyes grew hazy.
"These pills... something's wrong with them..."
Though inexperienced in such matters, Yun Yun was no longer naive. From her symptoms, she quickly realized what was happening.
She hastily reversed her seals, attempting to expel the medicinal power, but it was too late.
The pills had fully dissolved.
Moreover, their interactions only intensified the effects, surging uncontrollably like a flood.
If her cultivation hadn't been sealed, she could have easily purged it.
Unfortunately, with her power restricted, she could only endure the rampant energy.
All she could do now was suppress the rising desires.
"Huu~!"
Just then, the third divine ring cave between Zhu Chen's brows fully manifested.
Like the previous two, it merged with his primordial spirit avatar, forging a deep connection.
"Though I've only opened one more cave heaven, the boost to my cultivation is significant. So this is the power of a divine ring cave heaven compared to an ordinary one?"
Zhu Chen slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at Yun Yun, curled up in the corner.
He had noticed her odd behavior earlier.
He could have left, but after a moment's hesitation, he stood and approached.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, senior. Please... don't come closer..."
Yun Yun's voice trembled, as if she were desperately holding back something.
Before Zhu Chen could react further, Yun Yun spun around and embraced him tightly.